After looking for quite a while in local shops and not finding something I liked, I ended up ordering a Model '94 Takedown in 450 Marlin. When I picked it up this week, I found out it was ported. Although I am disappointed with this, that is the extent of my negative observations.

This gun is absolutely gorgeous. Great attention to detail. All stampings are sharp, straight and perfectly perpendicular or inline with the surfaces they occupy. Proportions are perfect: slender and elegant. Fits me better than any other rifle I own. My eyes are almost perfectly aligned with the sights when I quickly shoulder it.

My first impression of the front sight is that I like how unobtrusive it is, but wonder how visible it would be in certain circumstances.

Forgot to take 'before' pictures, but do have one of it with the wood taken off before I apply some lin-speed oil to it.

Turns out "file is too big". I'll have to figure out what to do about that.

So...I tried to separate the barrel end from the action end (it's a Takedown model), but couldn't. I found one instance in which someone else had the same problem. It took a gunsmith with a hammer and vise to take it apart. Apparently these guns are so tight fitted that the factory grease having dried/hardened worked as a glue and would not let it break free with normal pressure. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do about it.

Regarding the take down, I applied some Kroil, hoping it might help break the bond while shooting it...

...which I did today for the first time. With fear and trepidation I sat at the bench and pulled the trigger. What a pussycat! Well, what I didn't tell you is that I loaded 10 cartridges from mild to medium in order to break me in. All with Hornady's 300gr HP and Reloder 7, I started with a couple 45gr loads, working up to 52gr. I then shot 5 rounds of Hornady's factory FTX loads, and those weren't that bad either.Amazingly, my first shot was on the X with the next 4-5 within 1". This incredible feat was accomplished at a distance of 25yds. As the loads got heavier, they moved a bit down and to the left.

Very happy with this rifle. Had heard horror stories about the recoil from this cartridge (and 45/70), but it was nowhere close to some my heavy loads in 12ga. Closer to a heavy .30-06 load in my Model 70, actually. Maybe it's because the gun fits me so well.

Loaded some more 300 grainers over 52gr of Reloder 7, plus set up a dummy round with Hornady's 350 gr Interlock for next loading session and range trip.